Runemarks facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Joanne Harris |
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| Cover artist | David White |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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2 August 2007 |
| Pages | 500 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-61130-5 |
| OCLC | 124958523 |
| Followed by | Runelight |
Runemarks is an exciting fantasy novel written by Joanne Harris in 2007. It tells a story set in a world where the old Norse gods, like Odin and Loki, are still around but have lost much of their power. A new, very strict group called the Order wants to get rid of all magic and old beliefs. Joanne Harris said she was inspired to write this book because she loved Norse myths when she was a child. This book even has a sequel called Runelight, which came out in 2011.
What is Runemarks About?
Runemarks follows a young girl named Maddy. She feels like an outsider in her town. This is because she has a rust-colored rune mark on her left hand. In her village, animals born with such marks are thought to be cursed. They are usually killed quickly. Maddy is human, so she is allowed to live. However, people always look at her with suspicion.
Her village follows a strict group called the Order. The Order says no one can talk about the old Norse Gods. They also forbid any kind of magic. But Maddy soon finds out she has hidden magic. This happens after she helps clear goblins from an inn's cellar. Her magic quickly becomes useful to her and others.
As the story goes on, Maddy remembers her childhood. She learned about runes and Norse legends from an old traveler named One-Eye. Later, One-Eye tells Maddy he is actually Odin, the leader of the gods. He asks her to help him find a special treasure. It is buried under a place called Red Horse Hill. During their search, they meet other Norse gods. This leads them into a big fight with the Order and its leader.
Meet the Characters
- Maddy Smith: Maddy is a strong-willed and often lonely child. She doesn't go to church, and people call her "imaginative." This is seen as a bad thing in her town. Her father doesn't seem to love her. He believes her birth caused her mother's death. People think she is not pretty, especially compared to her popular and beautiful sister. Maddy has no friends. She finds comfort in stories and her imagination. But in her society, these things are thought to be dangerous.
- Odin / One-Eye / the General: He is a traveler who teaches Maddy about runes. He later reveals himself as the leader of the Norse gods. Odin is clever and sometimes tricky. He can be manipulative. He becomes Maddy's friend and helps her. But he also plans to use her for his own goals. After a big event called the End of the Worlds, he lost most of his powers. Still, he hopes to rebuild his old kingdom.
- Loki, the Trickster: Loki is half-demon and half-god. He escaped from a place called the Fortress of Netherworld using clever tricks. He is charming but also dishonest and sneaky. He starts as a villain but ends up being a very unwilling hero.
- Skadi: She is the goddess of hunting. Skadi really dislikes Loki.
- Freyja: She is the goddess of desire. Freyja is very focused on herself and not very deep. She also dislikes Loki.
- Heimdall: He is the watchman of the gods. Heimdall hates Loki more than anyone else.
- Sugar-and-Sack: He is a goblin. Maddy gets him to help her, and he becomes a reluctant hero.
- Adam Scattergood: He is a boy from Maddy's village. Adam is a bully and the son of the local innkeeper. He often bothers Maddy.
